The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People KFORKFOR August 2019 CHRONICLECHRONICLE

KFOR‘s AIRBORNE EXERCISE The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019

NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Tod D. Wolters visits NATO’s Forces (KFOR) Headquarters. CONTENT

SACEUR INAUGURATION CEREMONY Visit to KFOR HQ KFOR Restructure page: 3 page:4-6

KFOR MP KFOR In the Shadows, Always Vigilant Airborne Exercise page: 7 page: 8,9

RC-W RC-E First Aid Education Aviation Operation page: 10 page: 11

A VISUAL OVERVIEW AUT CONTINGENT page: 12,13 Tough Soldiers Competition page: 14-15

MSU GREEK & GERMAN CONTINGENT Shining a Light Change of Command page: 16 page: 17

KTRBN RC-W Medal Parade and National Day CSS Bn Take Command page: 18 page: 19

SOLDIER OF THE MONTH JENG OR-5 Marco Hager Fight Against Remnants of War page: 19 page: 20-21

Photo of the Month PROFILES OR-2 Martina Schneider OF-3 Jean-Raphael (JR) FLEURY page: 22 OR-4 Melissa WAHEED page: 23

2 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019 SACEUR KFOR NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Tod D. Wolters visited NATO’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR) Headquarters in Camp Film City on 18 July 2019.

segment of disinformation and propaganda. Yet, he says that KFOR is ready for any type of threat that could pose in Kosovo. General Wolters stated that “KFOR is ready, willing and capable to adopt and work under any potential different situation that could take place in the region”. General Tod D. Wolters assumed his duty as NATO’s During his interview, the following topics were 19th Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) discussed; Kosovo Security Forces’ transition process, on 03 May 2019. As SACEUR, he is one of NATO’s the Kosovo – ’s dialogue influence on KFOR’s two strategic commanders and commands Allied mission, the future of the peacekeeping mission Command Operations (ACO), which is responsible for and the importance of mutual cooperation among the planning and execution of all Alliance operations. the International Community Organizations and He is responsible to NATO’s Military Committee for Institutions in Kosovo, to enhance, through dialogue, the conduct of all NATO military operations. the stability and overall security in Kosovo. During his visit, General Wolters was met by COM Gen Wolters concluded his interview by stating that KFOR, Major General Lorenzo D’Addario and discussed “security and safety in the Western Balkans have the latest developments of the current security and extraordinary importance for the entire Europe. And socio-political situation in Kosovo. He also took the I am proud to report that we have entities that work opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister, Ramush hard to promote a safe and secure environment here Haradinaj, Minister for Defence, Rrustem Berisha in Kosovo” and the (KSF) Commander, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama. The aim of his visit to Kosovo was to familiarise himself with the situation on the ground and to look for opportunities to improve the cooperation and interaction with the NATO military forces, while also to encourage peace and sustainability in the Balkans region. During a media interview that was conducted in Camp Film City, Gen. Wolters acknowledged that open communication lines are a priority in maintaining peace and security in Kosovo and the region. He expressed that his impression of the situation in Kosovo is calm and he is happy with the accomplishment of KFOR’s mission, which is to Comdt. Joanne Naughton provide a safe and secure environment. He spoke OF-3 IRL-A about KFOR and NATO’s readiness to response to all PAO Chief Internal Information such challenges, which he seems to see mainly in the

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Inauguration Ceremony In the 20 years of proud structure; enhance the ease and unchanged as a result of the AC2C service, KFOR elements have speed of coordination between process. reorganized the structure of KFOR kinetic and non-kinetic During the inauguration ceremony, force elements; and enable KFOR to Major Gen D’Addario addressed the the KFOR Force in response to better fulfil its tasks under a more KFOR troops and gave direction on the operational environment direct command structure. the importance of the new KFOR and needs of the people of The decision for the restructure structure. He described the need Kosovo. of the KFOR Forces was approved for simplifying the command

in December 2017 by NATO’s structure as “We need simple On 15 August 2019 an inauguration Supreme Commander to Europe, things, because when the situation ceremony took place at KFOR HQ, General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, is difficult we need to have straight presided over by COM KFOR, Major under the revised KFOR Area lines. This structures us; it creates General Lorenzo D’Addario, who Command and Control Concept a system, when we have a single sanctioned this new change in the (AC2C). It must be made clear, that command in any given space. So, structure of the KFOR organisation. although there is a new structure to whoever is in that space is under The new change of structure the Force, KFOR’s mission remains the control of that command, and involves the two Multinational Battlegroups namely Multinational Battlegroup East (MNBG-E) and Multinational Battlegroup West (MNBG-W), and the three Joint Regional Detachments, namely Joint Regional Detachment-South East (JRD-SE), Joint Regional Detachment-North (JRD-N) and the Joint Regional Detachment- West (JRD-W), merge into the two new Regional Commands. The aim of this reorganisation is to simplify the command and control

4 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019 KFOR critically it offers the same staff to this act the JRD Commanders, the coordination of the activities, assess, to provide directions under Col Dominique Saudan and Col guaranteeing an even more one single command to all the Nicola Perrone were relieved from effective support for the fulfilment components”. He explained that their responsibilities and this led of the mission in Kosovo that is, “There are not two KFORs. The the foundation for the designated contributing to the maintenance of LMTs will continue to do exactly commanders of the new Regional a safe and secure environment and what they do now. The patrols will Commands to take post. The consolidating the socio-economic

continue to do what they do now, JRD-W Commander Lt Col Musa progress in Kosovo as it has been but they will be working seamlessly”. Unsal was re-appointed as the Non- providing for the last twenty years. He stressed that this new structure Kinetic Commander of RC-W, while will remain focused on supporting Col Daniele Pisani was inaugurated the LMTs; it will continue to support as the RC-W Commander and Col Comdt. Joanne Naughton the patrols, as the eyes and ears on Robert Hughes took command of OF-3 IRL-A the ground communicating with the RC-E. PAO Chief Internal Information people of Kosovo. He referred to the This reconfiguration will improve people of Kosovo as “the hostages of this incomplete situation. They have suffered for many decades and I think it’s time that we put all the conditions to enable these sufferings to an end and for a political solution to be achieved”. To inaugurate this new regional command structure, the unit commanders of JRD-SE, JRD-N and JRD-W were relived from their posts and their unit flag’s which identified their organisations were rolled and cased. Through

KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 5 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019 KFOR Restructure KFOR Poland and Switzerland to the four nations operating in the pre- RC-West existing MNBG-W, namely Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Moldova.

The ceremony on the 15 August 2019 sealed the remodelling of the chain of command and control RC-East of Multinational Battle Group West (MNBG-W) to Regional Command West (RC-W), an Italian- RC-E is now led by U.S. Army Col. Non-kinetic Battalion, General led unit by Col Daniele Pisani, Robert Hughes from RC-E HQ’s Aviation Support Battalion, and a deployed in the western sector of in Camp Bondsteel. He is the Logistics Support Battalion. The Kosovo from Camp Villaggio Italia commander of the 44th Infantry nations representing RC-E remain (CVI). The newly formed RC-W Brigade Combat Team, New the same as under the previous now incorporates, the kinetic Jersey Army National Guard; a MNBG-E structure. COY-sized units already employed by the reserve component unit of the elements include Turkish, Polish, pre-existing MNBG-W with the United States Army. The newly and American units, while Liaison additional non-kinetic units of formed RC-E now incorporates, Monitoring Teams (LMTs) of Greek, Joint Regional Detachment West the kinetic units already employed Swiss, Slovenian, Italian, Finnish, (JRD - W). by the pre-existing MNBG-E with and Hungarian troops constitute RC-W will continue to carry the additional non-kinetic units the Non-kinetic Battalion. The out activities by means of a of Joint Regional Detachment Liaison Monitoring Teams, kinetic component consisting North (JRD - N) and Joint Regional which now fall under the Non- of maneuvering units at the Detachment South East (JRD-SE). kinetic Battalion and RC-E staff RC-E supports the people of for coordination and reporting Kosovo in 26 northern and eastern purposes, will maintain their municipalities, a mission which presence in the communities with has remained the same regardless which they work hand-in-hand. of adjustments to internal force structure. RC-E is now organized Comdt. Joanne Naughton with four battalion-level OF-3 IRL-A elements, in addition to the RC-E PAO Chief Internal Information headquarters: the Kinetic Battalion, battalion level to support the security and stability of the area of responsibility, while also, through non-kinetic units continue through their Liaison Monitoring Teams (LMT’s) the connection with local authorities and non-governmental organizations at regional level. RC-W has 12 municipalities in it’s Area of Responsibility (AOR). The transformation also increased the multinationality of the RC-W, with the addition of assets from Turkey,

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IN THE SHADOWS, ALWAYS VIGILANT KFOR MP The KFOR Military Police is non-combat and staff elements at the KFOR level. These meetings composed of International through the commander by the also strengthen team spirit and Military Police (IMP), conduct of MP activities. While allow for the exchange of best support is an activity appreciated practices. The opportunity to work Regional Command West by all, the field of police and in a multinational environment (RC-W), Regional Command security could sometimes be less allows for personal and collective East (RC-E) and the appreciated, but nevertheless development and edification. Multinational Specialized necessary for any military Unit (MSU) Military Police operation. The first priority is “Our philosophy is based above the safety and security of KFOR all on prevention in the field of elements which contribute personnel. policing and high operational to a distinctive, specialized readiness in the field of support. skill set coupled with core KFOR is a small community. Like individual competencies any community, someone must that are unique to any other ensure that laws and rules are enforced, but also be ready to Unit in KFOR. provide rapid and efficient help anywhere and anytime. This is the role that KFOR MP is fulfilling together with and for the Force”, explains LTC Stéphane “Sté” Theimer, KFOR Force Provost Currently, MP’s from Austria, Italy, Marshal from the Swiss Army. Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland and USA, are providing Mobility LTC. Stephane Theimer Support, Security, Policing and a OF-4 CHE Detention capability to the whole KFOR FPM Employment of these skills and KFOR. The KFOR MP’s are able to competencies are guided by carry out its mission at all times, the KFOR Force Provost Marshal in all situations and wherever (FPM) in support to the COM KFOR KFOR personnel are deployed. objectives. On a regular basis, meetings are organized with the KFOR Military The KFOR MP, as a combat support Police. Led by the FPM, the overall force multiplier, provides essential military police effort is coordinated operational assistance to combat,

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Airborne Exercise KFOR Austrian and This kind of airborne exercise coordinating procedures, as well as Italian paratroopers held is something original in the rehearsals for the whole operation. a multinational airborne consolidation of KFOR unit’s The preparation phase began afew skills, because of the high number days prior to the main exercise, exercise in close coordination of paratroopers serving in KFOR which involved both AUT and ITA with a platoon of the XXIII, the unprecedented capability paratroopers carrying out a series Hungarian KTRBN in order to increase readiness in projecting of familiarization jumps from HRV to display the KFOR light combat power by exploiting the 3rd Mi-171 at 7600 ft. over the Krusevo infantry units skills and their Dimension. Airfield with KTRBN assets on the The exercise was planned according ground. interoperability. to the operational effects pursued On the day of the exercise, KFOR by KFOR, in a particular period and troops simulated an enemy approach On 13 August 2019, KFOR environment, in order to enhance from the North threatening the Safe paratroopers from Austria and Italy its credibility in upholding UNSCR and Secure Environment (SaSE) performed a joint exercise with 1244. and Freedom of Movement (FoM). a platoon of KTRBN in Krusevo The detailed planning phase On call, an airborne operational Airfield, 20 km East from Pec/, was followed by a preparation detachment of ten (10) Italian in Regional Command West (RC- phase aimed at consolidating paratroopers were rapidly inserted W’s) Area of Responsibility (AOR). the interoperability and the by free fall jump into the Area of

8 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 TheThe KFORKFOR MagazineMagazine forfor KFORKFOR PeoplePeople AugustAugust 20192019 KFOR Operation (Krusevo Airfield) in a designated Assembly Area. in order to seize and secure an This successfully executed occasional drop zone. Once exercise was to train the the area was secured, also with effectiveness of the KFOR the support of Italian snipers, multinational joint units and the second “chalk” of ten (10) their capability to conduct Austrian paratroopers jumped full spectrum operations, on the airfield, linked up with enhancing its credibility as the the Italians and moved forward most relevant organization to set up temporary blocking granting SaSE and FoM in position along the hostile Kosovo. forces’ avenue of approach. The consolidation of the blocking positions and the seizure of Pierangelo Monica the area allowed the request OF-2- ITA-A for a relief in place. This was PAO conducted by the Hungarian platoon of KTRBN in light armoured vehicles, standing by

KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 9 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019 FIRST AID EDUCATION RC-W “My Life In Your Hands” is the basic life support training campaign which began on 09 August 2019, led by the Regional Command West’s (RC-W) medical units and young athletes from the Peje/Pec Municipality. The information campaign is focused to inform youth athletes to rapidly intervene with the right procedures in an emergency situation. During the activity, youngsters took part in a theoretical briefing, after which they had the opportunity to practice the standardized protocol in cases of sudden cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. associations which took part in the initiative. During the past days, the young athletes that were visited by KFOR’s soldiers had the opportunity to share information with specialized personnel; practice a one-to-one basis training on standardized procedures; using training dummies to prove all the foreseen maneuvers.

To create the information campaign, the RC-W’s HQ used its medical teams to support youths from different ethnical backgrounds who share a common interest in sports and provide this vital training that could someday assist in saving someone’s life.

Basic Life Support is the primary medical aid OF2 Stefano DE SANTIS provided to a person in an emergency medical ITA - A situation. This procedure can prove to be very helpful RC-W PAO to save people’s lives, gaining some valuable time until emergency medical aid arrives. The RCW’s team, who studied the project, have chosen young athletes first of all, because as young individuals they are more incline to learn BLS procedures faster, secondly, because in practicing sports, especially non competitive categories, athletes often do not undergo pre-participation screening, therefore there is a higher rate of cardiac arrests. This campaign is not only conducted to train youngsters along with their instructors on basic life support procedures, it was also aimed to spread and improve the knowledge and importance of Basic Life Support procedures.

The campaign foresees a cycle of meetings that will last until September, in support of the sport

10 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019 Aviation Operations RC-E Task Force Aviation conducted a multi- aircraft training operation with their NATO partners from the Croatian Air Force at Camp Bondsteel on 6 August 2019. The operation aimed to improve overall interoperability between NATO partners while preparing Task Force Aviation (TF AVN) for future operations. This was TF AVN’s first time working with the Croatian Air Force since KFOR 26’s Regional Command East rotation began in July. swap flight positions during the training event. “It was definitely a learning experience for us to see how our partner nations operate,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen Gayton, who serves as an instructor pilot with TF AVN’s 1-171 Avn. Reg. “How they [The Croatian Air Force] fly their aircrafts as well as their overall capabilities is important if we have to operate together in the future.” Gayton said this operation increases mission readiness and the overall comfort level particularly with multinational partners, such as the Croatians. The operation gave both aviation teams confidence in their partnership. TF AVN pilot 1st Lt. Tyler Johnson, a platoon leader with Lt. Col. Christopher Buck said the task force’s mission the 1-171 Avn. Reg., said an important aspect of the is to provide KFOR both airlift and air medical joint exercise was establishing clear communication evacuation assets to provide safety and mobility, with their multinational partners. which supports the overall NATO mission in Kosovo. “Even though we all speak English, everyone has their Buck serves as the battalion commander for TF AVN’s own code words and brevity terms,” he said. “So an 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment. exercise like this was good for how we understand The coordination of this cross-training exercise each other and how we operate.” allowed the two aviation forces to maneuver Army Black Hawk helicopters (UH 60) and Croatian Hips Spc. Grant Ligon transport helicopters (MI 17). The flight patterns they USA-A practiced allowed the two Black Hawks to lead and RC-E

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A VISUAL OVERVIEW

07 AUG 2019 KFOR Commander Major General D’Addario welcomed Brig Gen Hans Scatzmann Commander of the Swiss Military Police to KFOR HQ.

07 AUG 2019 KFOR Commander Major General D’Addario hosted Mr Michel Soula Head of Operations and Missions NATO International staff to KFOR HQ.

14 AUG 2019 KFOR Commander Major General D’Addario welcomed H.E. Quemal Minxhozi, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to KFOR HQ.

12 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019 A VISUAL OVERVIEW COM KFOR

20 AUG 2019 KFOR Commander Major General D’Addario welcomed H.E. Ruari O’Connel, Ambassador of the UK to KFOR HQ.

20 AUG 2019 KFOR Commander Major General D’Addario met with LG Kostantinos Floros, Commander of the 1st Greek Army Corps, to KFOR HQ.

21 AUG 2019 KFOR Commander Major General D’Addario hosted Mr Alkiviadis Stefanis, Greek Deputy Minister of Defence to KFOR HQ.

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TOUGH SOLDIERS COMPETITION On 03 August 2019, the teams, two (2) German teams, This extremely demanding sports Austrian contingent a team from Hungary, Bulgaria, competition incorporated a variety (AUTCON 40) organized an Poland, Italy, the United States, and of disciplines that needed to be three (3) mixed teams, consisting of mastered in the areas of stamina international event “Tough Canadians, Irish, Swiss and Polish and strength endurance under Soldiers Competition”, in personnel. All teams consisted time constraints. It began with a KFOR HQ’s, Camp Film City. of one (1) Officer, one (1) NCO, gruelling backpack run carrying a and a female soldier in the squad. weight of 15kg over a distance of This extremely challenging course All stages of the course had to 1000 metres. This was followed by was tackled by 17 teams, made up be completed as a team, testing an obstacle course which involved; a of four (4) people and included personnel’s teamwork skills under tire run, a trench crawl, overcoming personnel from 11 nations. The strenuous physical conditions obstacle crossings, a powerlifting participants that entered this while boosting Esprit De Corps as exercise, target grenade throwing, challenge of physical endurance and teams competed hard to beat their and a “CASEVAC”- run carrying a strength were seven (7) Austrian opponent’s times. 65kg stretcher for 100 metres. On

14 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 TheThe KFORKFOR MagazineMagazine forfor KFORKFOR PeoplePeople AugustAugust 20192019 AUT CONTINGENT approaching to the grand finale, a winning team can be proud of Congratulations to all the members vehicle had to be pulled or pushed their achievements to be awarded of the Austrian Contingent who over a distance of 25m up a slope the “Toughest Soldiers” in Camp organised this event which was to the finish line. All competitors Film City (CFC)! Second place was thoroughly enjoyed by both where cheered on by their awarded to the Austrian team from spectators and all teams that contingent and work colleagues as B Coy, with third place going to the participated. their tired bodies fell over the finish Polish team. line with a sign of relief and sense of A hugely successful competition Comdt. Joanne Naughton personal achievement! that nurtured the important skills OF-3 IRL-A The dignified winners of the “Tough required of a combat soldier while PAO Chief Internal Information Soldiers Competition” were a team also creating a team bonding, & from the Hungary Contingent multinational and competitive 1SG Andre Ogris (Bálint István Nagy, István Oberna environment which pushed OR-8 AUT-A , Andrea Filipinyi; Zsolt János the competitors to the edge of NCO PAO Pap). Rightly, this outstanding their operational fitness levels.

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SHINING A LIGHT MSU

The second donation occurred on 06 August 2019, assisting a KOA family in the municipality of Prizren. One of the main aims of the daily presence and activities of the MSU patrols is to assess the situation on the ground and to listen to the needs of the local population. This interaction with the local population and the Village Chief led to an exciting example of integration and intervention of the MSU CIMIC to help a KOA family in need. The family consists of father and four children aged between eleven (11) and four (4). They are totally dependent on government subsidies. The CIMIC team assessed what the family required and they donated foodstuffs, clothes, shoes and toys. Both CIMIC projects are a true reflection on how KFOR CIMIC projects can brighten up a family’s life and help the most vulnerable people in Kosovo to smile again!

OF-2 Luigi Scalingi MSU S3 Chief PAO During the month of August, the MSU Regiment, through their CIMIC team, reached out and helped two families who required assistance by providing them with basic requirements to improve their standards of living.

The first donation was performed on 04 July 2019, assisting a Kosovo Albanian (KOA) family living in the municipality of Mitrovica South. The needs of this family were identified while MSU personnel were patrolling and observed that this family was in distress from a social and economic perspective. The household comprised of a 40 years old mother and her four children: three boys of thirteen(13), nine (9) , six (6), and one three (3) year old girl. The MSU CIMIC team intervened to provide assistance, to improve the conditions and quality of life for the family by donating clothes, toys and foodstuff. The generosity and the friendly presence shown by the MSU boosted the morale of this family, making them feel both acknowledged and respected by KFOR troops.

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CHANGE OF COMMAND OF THE GREEK CONTINGENT

KFOR Deputy Commander, Brigadier the past 6 months successfully which became your General Reinhard Ruckenstuhl, presided and our home for that time”. Lt Col Nicolas Politis congratulated his soldiers over the Transfer of Authority ceremony of stating that he was delighted with the performance the Greek Contingent in Camp Film City. of his subordinates, who were fully dedicated to After six months of outstanding service, the outgoing their mission and determined to meet expectations. Greek Commander, Lt Col Nicolas Politis, handed He acknowledged how it had been a true privilege over the responsibility to Major Efstathios Katsrakis. to serve under the command of COM KFOR Maj Gen Addressing the troops, DCOMKFOR expressed his D’Addario, DCOM Brig Gen Reinhard Ruckenstuhl, appreciation for the outstanding work done by COS Brig Gen Shawn Harris and HSG Comd Col Mark Greek soldiers in his opening remarks “Opu doxa Hearns, “I promise you that the memories of our ke patrisz – where you achieve glory, there is your service under your command will always put a smile home. You served and protected Camp Film City in on our faces”. CHANGE OF COMMAND OF THE GERMAN CONTINGENT

On the evening of 29 July 2019, the German COM KFOR acknowledged the outstanding work of Contingent held a Change of Command Col Steinseifer as ACOS J5 and as the German Senior (CoC) ceremony in Camp Film City. Representative. He thanked him for his friendship After seven (7) months of outstanding service, the and said “he was proud to work with him and he German Commander, Col Gunnar Steinseifer handed learnt a lot from him”. He also thanked the German over the responsibility to OF-5 Capt Volker Brasen contingent for their sterling work, acknowledging (German Navy). their contribution of providing security as KFOR During the ceremony, Col Steinseifer reflected on the soldiers in Kosovo, which allows for the dialogue loss of their German colleague, OR-8 Hauptfeldwebel to continue at the political level. He issued a warm Karsten Dokel who passed away on 01 July 2019. He welcome to the new German Contingent and to the acknowledged how difficult this time was for the new Commander Capt Brasen. German contingent and honoured their friend with a minute silence.

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Medal Parade and National Day KTRBN In recognition of their KFOR service, Kosovo Tactical Reserve Battalion (KTRBN) soldiers received the NATO medals on 20 August 2019, in Camp Novo Selo.

The 20 August commemorates the Hungary’s first king St. Stephen, but can also be referred to as “the day of the new bread” because the tradition was to cut bread on this day to celebrate the arrival of the harvest. St. Stephen was the first king of Hungary; he led the country into the Christian church and established the institutions of the kingdom and the church. He was canonized on 20 August 1083 and and I feel the same as well today. their mission here, in Kosovo. “You it is now celebrated as his feast day I am proud of you, your work and are always going to be able to make in Hungary. your efforts, what you have done in KFOR respect impartial. We are Lieutenant Colonel Szabolcs Rácz providing a secure environment in here and serving NATO to make Commander of KTRBN pointed Kosovo.” difference. Also we learn here how out in his speech that the 20 August, Major General Lorenzo D’Addario, to fight together, how to be effective is the most significant National day Commander of KFOR attended the together because of the security in Hungary when – according to ceremony, and delivered his speech here is very important. It’s a very the traditions – the young cadets to the soldiers of the KTRBN. First difficult job, and you have done it are commissioned and promoted of all, he greeted the soldiers in very well. I am extremely proud to to lieutenants every year. “I Hungarian. After that, he thanked be associated with you in this KFOR remember 20 years ago when I the KTRBN soldiers for their mission. I am very optimistic for stood as a Lieutenant in front of excellent and devoted job during the future in Kosovo because of us!” the Parliament. I was really proud Thereafter, Major General Lorenzo D’Addario, Mr. László Márkusz (Ambassador of Hungary), Colonel Erich Walker (DCOM MA), Colonel Jeffrey Brownlee (COS MA) and Lieutenant Colonel Zsolt Ferenczi (Commander of CMLT) awarded the KTRBN Commander and another 173 Hungarian and 4 American soldiers - who were members of KTRBN – the NATO Balkans non-Article 5 Medal.

OF-1 Csaba BÚZ KTRBN PAO

18 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019 CSS Bn Take Command RC-W The ceremony for the Combat Service tour. He mentioned the movements of different Support (CSS) Battalion Commander’s kind of vehicles, inbound and outbound; the logistic Transfer of Authority was held in Camp support offered to CIMIC projects in support of the local population and in his conclusion he mentioned “Villaggio Italia”, in the Regional Command the support offered to all the RC-W units. West (RC-W) on 19 July 2019. The CSS’s Bn is a logistic battalion under the RC-W’s command chain. It guarantees logistic support to all the units in the Battle Group. The new unit composing the CSS’s Bn is a logistic Regiment based in Palermo (Sicily) under the “Aosta” Brigade command chain. The Regiment has operated in the western part of Kosovo since last 19 July 2019. Made up of 76 Italian soldiers, the CSS’s Bn fulfills logistic tasks in order to support all kinetic and not kinetic units from the RC- During the ceremony held by the RC-W Commander, W’s. Colonel Daniele Pisani, the logistic Regiment from OF2 Stefano DE SANTIS “Garibaldi” Brigade passed the torch to the logistic ITA -A PAO RC-W Regiment from “Aosta” Brigade.

Before handing over the command to his colleague Lt Col Renato Bonfiglio, the outgoing CSS’s Commander, Lt Col Raffaele Faraca, expressed his gratitude to all the soldiers who served under his command. In his speech he recalled the efforts made by his soldiers to accomplish all their tasks during their six months

SOLDIER OF THE MONTH

(airmobile). and devotion to duty. He is able to Name: Marco Hager During the relocation of his transfer his motivation and inspire Rank: OR-5 Company, a technical defect all other soldiers in his Company. Nationality: Austrian occurred to the logistical truck He impresses with his irrepressible Unit: Alpha Coy, RC-W which was carrying the equipment commitment, skills and knowledge. Serving As: Squad Leader of two platoons. This malfunction He brings these attributes into the would have prevented the movement military service every day. All this Sgt Hager was born on 24 October of the entire Company, since they and more makes him a worthy 1992. He attended school until 2008 could not continue without their winner of the Soldier of the Month and he started his apprenticeship equipment. OR-5 Hager, squad award. as mechanic until 2012. He began leader in the infantry platoon, due to his military career in January 2013 his mechanical knowledge reacted in the 25th Infantry Battalion and repaired the vehicle which (airmobile). He was deployed for ensured the continued movement the first time in Kosovo in 2014. He of the Company. This is just one commenced his NCO training in example of how OR-5 Hager has 2016 and he successfully graduated shown his professionalism during in 2018. Presently, he is serving as his deployment here in KFOR. a squad leader in the 2nd company He is a role model to his fellow in the 25th Infantry Battalion colleagues concerning his attitude

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FIGHT AGAINST REMNANTS OF WAR Combined EOD Training

On 14 and 15 August 2019, a series of combined open demolition activities have been successfully executed as part of a Live EOD Training Exercise by the KFOR Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operators and the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF), in the interim demolition range located close to ARLJACA/ HARILLAQ. Ukrainian and United States EOD During EOD response interventions, Under the command of the Chief Teams with one (1) EOD Team according to EOD safety Explosive Threat Management from Kosovo Security Force (KSF). procedures, an element of explosive (ETM) from Joint Engineers The “training aids” used for the ordnance, if it cannot be moved, (JENG) Branch of KFOR exercise, were forty-five (45) pieces will normally be disposed of on site. Headquarters (HQ) planned and of different types of Explosive This type of operation requires a lot coordinated a combined EOD task Remnants of War (ERW) collected of effort and coordination to ensure force training of different open by the KSF during their regular the maximum level of safety for demolition techniques, with Swiss EOD response interventions over both the EOD operators and for the EOD on site command and control, the past number of years. local population and their property. KFOR’s Austrian, Moldovan, Swiss, If the unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) or the abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO) can be safely moved, the EOD teams will transport it and dispose of it in a safer place or it will be transported to a KSF safe storage location. Finally, the collected elements of ERW are moved and finally disposed of in safe demolition ranges.

Combined EOD Emergency Response Tasks

On 20 August 2019, while performing their normal Battle Area Clearance (BAC) tasks as part of the Humanitarian De-mining effort in Kosovo, the KSF deminers discovered an old ammo cache

20 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019 JENG make 111 hectares of land safe to the public, which had been previously contaminated with more than 600 mines and UXOs. The Explosive Threat Management (ETM) from the Joint Engineers (JENG) will continue to support the demining/area clearance and EOD emergency response with the KSF, to assist in providing the population of Kosovo with a safer environment and with the aim that someday, the UXO remnants of war will be removed from the territory of Kosovo for good.

Ciprian “Chip” ANDRICA, LTC (retired) containing mortar ammunition in (KMAC), KSF, HALO Trust and KFOR Chief Explosive Threat a very unstable condition in close Norwegian People’s Aid managed to Management proximity to the beautiful Park of Liberty, in the vicinity of FERIZAJ/ UROSEVAC. With technical assistance and support of KFOR’s Regional Command East (RC-E), the USA EOD Task Force extracted more than one-hundred-fifty-five (155) pieces of unstable AXOs which was safely extracted, loaded and transported to a demolition site for final disposal by two (2) KSF EOD Teams. On the same day, a hand grenade was reported by a local inhabitant at his property close to KLINA/KLINË which was safely disposed of by the EOD Task Force. These combined emergency response operations are common in the KFOR area of operations and all EOD tasking’s much be executed with extreme caution and precision. During the first eight (8) months of 2019, there have been 135 EOD incidents of which, KSF have solved 119 and KFOR EOD solved 16 incidents. In the same period of time, for HD effort coordinated by Kosovo Mine Action Centre

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Commander KFOR XXIII PHOTO OF THE MONTH Major General August 2019 Lorenzo D’ Addario, Italian Army Chief Public Affairs Office & COMKFOR Spokesperson Col. Pio Sabetta, Italian Army Chief Internal Information & Editor KFOR Chronicle Comdt. Joanne Naughton, Irish Defence Forces [email protected]

Design & Photographer: Mr. Afrim Hajrullahu Cover Photo: Carlo Fenu OR-4 ITA-A

E-mail and Web [email protected] http://jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor

Printed by “Blendi” Tel.: 044 149 115 NATO Nations within KFOR Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, , Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. 1.‘’Rainbow enlightening’’ Contribute to the Kosovo. Non-NATO Nations within KFOR OR-2 Martina Schneider Armenia, Austria, Finland, Ireland, LMT K2 Moldova, Sweden, Switzerland, KFORChronicle! Swisscoy Contingent 40 Ukraine. Just send your photos to: Huawei Nova 2 phone [email protected] by the 20th of The KFOR Chronicle is produced and fully the month explaining where you took the photo and funded by HQ KFOR. It is published for KFOR what equipment you used. We will then select one soldiers in the area of responsibility. The of the submitted images and publish it in the next contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the coalition governments’ edition of the Chronicle. defence departments. Editorial content is A KFOR Chronicle T-Shirt is awarded each month edited, prepared and provided by the Internal to the winning photographer. Information Section of HQ KFOR’s Public You will be immortalised in the KFOR Affairs Office (PAO) in Pristina, Kosovo. PAO Chronicle! HQ KFOR reserves the right to edit content Is that not something to be proud of? to conform to style and space requirements. Articles are run on a space-available basis. Sincerely, Articles appearing in KFOR Chronicle may The Chronicle Team. be duplicated in official NATO publications subject to KFOR PAO authorisation.

22 KFOR Chronicle 08/2019 The KFOR Magazine for KFOR People August 2019

Military Career and education: I am currently serving as Joint Logistic Operation Centre (JLOC) Deputy Chief. Back home, I command the 2th Canadian Division Support Group (2CDSG) Maintenance Company. Also, as you may have noticed, I am a proud French Canadian. In 2005, I completed a degree in Physic Engineering at University Laval (Quebec City) with a material specialty. I subsequently joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2006 as a Direct Entry Officer before completing my field technical training to become a maintenance officer. At the start of my career, I was responsible for the 2nd line maintenance of the Atlantic area. I also logistically supported many pre-deployment Afghanistan training. I then became 1st line maintenance officer with the Air Defence (4AD Regt) followed by Deputy Commander of 5th Canadian Division Support Group (5CDSG) Maintenance Company and was subsequently assigned as G4 Operation Officer of this Support Group, Name: Jean-Raphael supporting numerous domestic operations. In 2016, I was transferred to Ottawa and was appointed as the technical officer, as Deputy (JR) FLEURY Project Manager for several small arms procurement projects while obtaining post-blast Rank: OF-3 forensic qualifications with the National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC) of the Country: CANADA United States. I was then selected to be an Executive Assistant to the Assistant Deputy Appointment in KFOR: Minister (Material)’s office within our National Defence Headquarters. Family reaction: My family was extremely proud and supportive of this deployment. This JLSG JLOC Deputy came at a time in my career where I had been given the privilege to serve as Maintenance Chief Company Commander and will return to this post after this tour. My family and my chain of command have being very understanding of this NATO mission opportunity!! They were also really excited to visit the Greek Islands during my leave as reward for their support. Hobbies: I am a passionate hockey player that has always been involved in team sports. With my family, I enjoyed camping and travelling.

Military Career and education: I started my career in 2010 as a volunteer soldier at the Military Basic Training School in Ascoli Piceno, where I attended the basic training course. In June 2010, I was assigned to the ‘Military Equestrian Centre’ in Montelibretti (near Rome) where I carried out administrative and logistic duties. In September 2011, I was assigned to the Cavalry Regiment ‘’Lancieri di Montebello’’ (8) in Rome where I served as a Gunner until 2017. In 2017 I was assigned to the Italian Army General Staff in Rome, in the Protocol Office of the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army prior to my deployment overseas. I graduated from Linguistic High School and I have a Bachelor Degree in Linguistic Cultural Mediation (English and German). Overseas mission: This is not my first time in Kosovo, I served here from July 2015 to September 2016 as admin to COM KFOR XX and I also worked for two months with Name: Melissa COM KFOR XXI in October 2016. I served in the National Operation for Homeland WAHEED Security in Rome from NOV 2011 to JAN 2013. I also served in Shama, Lebanon from Rank: OR-4 NOV 2013 to MAY 2014 with the Operation Leonte XV as a Gunner Specialist for the Sector Mobile Reserve (SMR). I have been awarded the Memorial Cross for military Country: ITALY peace missions, the UN Commemorative Medal – Operation in Lebanon, the Italian Appointment in KFOR: Commemorative Medal for homeland security and the USA Army Achievement ADMIN TO COM Medal. Currently, I work in administration in COM KFOR’s Front Office. Part of my responsibilities includes managing COM KFOR’s schedule. KFOR Family reaction: I stay in contact with my family through social media. I miss them a lot. I also have a small dog that is staying with my mother while I am overseas. Hobbies: During my free time I enjoy swimming and running. I also like spending time with my friends and discovering the world of new cultures and languages. I love dancing and listening to different kind of music from all over the world.

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